Parishioners at Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y., welcomed Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, on Sunday, October 5, who traveled to the church to ordain young altar servers. Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor, assisting. Master pianist Sahan Arzruni rendered the sacred music on the organ during the Divine Liturgy. Two parishioners—Alexander Calikyan and Karnik Kiliciyan—were ordained to the diaconate. Five others—Ara Arsenian, Armen Arsenian, Nicholas Calikyan, Vahe Gemdzian, and Arthur Ipek—became sub-deacons.
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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact:
Chris Zakian
Tel: (212)
686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail:
chrisz@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
www.armenianchurch-ed.net
October 13,
2014
___________________
Parishioners
at Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y., welcomed Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, on Sunday, October 5, who traveled to the church to ordain
young altar servers.
Archbishop
Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan,
parish pastor, assisting.
Master
pianist Sahan Arzruni rendered the sacred music on the organ during the Divine
Liturgy.
Two
parishioners—Alexander Calikyan and Karnik Kiliciyan—were ordained to the
diaconate. Five others—Ara Arsenian, Armen Arsenian, Nicholas Calikyan, Vahe
Gemdzian, and Arthur Ipek—became sub-deacons.
Archbishop
Barsamian also ordained nine parishioners as acolytes: Brandon Ajamian, Christopher
Cetin, Armen Demirjian, Vartan Esenyan, Andrew Halajian, Gregory C. Manuelian,
Robert Naldjian, Stephen Sirounian, and Andrew Yenicag.
He blessed
the veils of four choir members-Hilda Haroutunian, Tamar Kayserian, Hilda
Sheshedian, and Meline Yaziciyan-and blessed the vestments of the parish's new
choir co-director, Ruthann Turekian Drewitz.
"Beginning
our quest to serve the Lord together, I never thought we would all be rewarded
with the honor and responsibility of serving the Armenian Church as
sub-deacons," said sub-deacon Armen Arsenian, reflecting on the training
he and the other parishioners have undergone in preparation for their new
vocation.
Fr.
Malkhasyan has been meeting with the altar servers weekly over the past year to
familiarize them with the services of the Armenian Church and to help them
learn the appropriate parts of the badarak.
"I am
very proud of all our altar servers and choir members," he said.
"They are all dedicated individuals who have worked hard to learn our ancient
rites and to continue the rich legacy of the Armenian liturgical tradition here
in America."
He went on to
emphasize the importance of parents encouraging their children to participate
actively in the life of the church community. "These young people have
accomplished so much, in part because of their parents' commitment," Fr.
Malkhasyan. "They have instilled in their children our Armenian Christian
values, and have served as strong role models for them."
At the
conclusion of services, two longtime deacons, Dn. Hagop Sason Demirjian and Dn.
Hagop Yagliyan, received encyclicals from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in commendation of their service to
the Armenian Church.
Archbishop
Barsamian congratulated all the parishioners who were ordained and honored on
Sunday. "Today, we have been blessed to witness these young men become
servants of the Lord's altar. Each has spent many months studying, practicing,
and praying for this moment," Archbishop Barsamian said. "It is my
humble privilege to ordain them, and I pray that their young souls will
continue to grow in service to the Holy Altar."
A celebratory
luncheon followed in the church's Kalustyan Hall. Among those in attendance
were a number of young people from sister parishes who gathered to congratulate
their friends on their ordinations.
Deacons
Kiliciyan and Calikyan expressed their gratitude to the entire community for
supporting them in their journey to the diaconate. Dn. Kiliciyan recently moved
to the Bayside area, and has been serving on the altar for the past two years.
Dn. Calikyan has spent the last few summers interning at the Diocese's Krikor
and Clara Zohrab Information Center, and has taken part in the Deacons Training
program at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
"In the
weeks leading up to my ordination, I realized that being a deacon is not just
about holding a prestigious position within the Armenian Church. It also
involves representation outside of the Armenian community," Dn. Calikyan
said.
The Very Rev.
Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information
Center, spoke about the significance of ordination. "Being ordained is not
gift, but rather a responsibility to serve God, the church, and our
people," he said.
Jennifer
Morris, director of the Diocese's Department of Youth and Young Adult
Ministries, was a special guest at the luncheon and spoke about the impact of
the Diocese's youth programs. From summer camps to ACYOA retreats, she said
that such programs help nourish the spiritual growth of young people across the
Diocese.
To conclude
the program, the newly ordained altar servers presented Fr. Malkhasyan with a
hand cross in appreciation of his guidance.
###
Photos
attached.
Photo 1:
Karnik Kiliciyan (left) and Alexander Calikyan were ordained to the diaconate.
Photo 2: The
ordination of acolytes at Holy Martyrs Church.
Photo 3: Dn.
Hagop Yagliyan receives an encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II.
Photo 4: Dn.
Hagop Sason Demirjian receives an encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II.
Photo 5:
Altar servers and choir members pose for a group photo with clergy.
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